Mollie Katzen's Chocolate Eclipse

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter.

Step 2

Melt the Butter (2 tablespoon) and Unsweetened Chocolate (2 ounce) together. I do this in a microwave using a microwave-safe dish.

Step 3

In a separate saucepan, heat Buttermilk (2 cup) gently until just a little warmer than body temperature - being careful not to boil or cook it. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl combine All-Purpose Flour (2 1/2 cup), Brown Sugar (1 cup), Baking Powder (3 teaspoon), Baking Soda (1 teaspoon), and Salt (1/2 teaspoon). Mix well, making as uniform a mixture as possible.

Step 5

Pour melted chocolate and butter into dry ingredients. Pour in buttermilk and Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon). Stir until combined. Stir in Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1 cup), if desired. Spread into the prepared pan.

Step 6

Combine the remaining Brown Sugar (1 1/4 cup) with the Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/2 cup) (plus 2 Tbsp) in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture as evenly as possible over the top of the batter.

Step 7

Pour on the boiling Water (2 1/2 cup). It will look terrible, and you will not believe you are actually doing this, but try to persevere.

Step 8

Place immediately in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is firm to the touch.

Step 9

Cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Invert each serving on a plate so that the fudge sauce on the bottom becomes a topping. Serve hot or at room temperature.